| Peter Turner, chairman of the High-Visibility
Sub Committee, Reflective Equipment Manufacturers’ Association,
explains why visible clothing can be a life saver |
Day or night, a high-visibility
garment means drivers will see you and will see if you are in
difficulty, too |
 |
| "As soon as your employees step out
of vehicles, they need to be properly protected with bright
fluorescent colours for day and reflective items at night" |
Whether at work, travelling or at leisure, at all times of the day
and in all weather conditions, people on or near the road need to
be seen to be safe. Even though you can see an approaching vehicle,
the driver may not be able to see you. Wearing white is not bright
enough. As soon as your employees step out of vehicles, or when they
are working on or near roads, they need to be properly protected with
bright, fluorescent colours for daytime brightness and reflective
items at night. 3,500 people are killed each year on British roads.
Another 40,000 are seriously injured. Across the EC region every year,
45,000 vulnerable road users are killed in road accidents. Many of
these victims are drivers or passengers who leave their vehicles unexpectedly.
Breakdowns, flat tyres, broken windscreens, mirror, lights or wiper
adjustments head a list that also includes tiredness and going to
the assistance of others, causing drivers to become “unintended
pedestrians” at the side of the road. There are recorded cases
of drivers who survive skidding off the road, only to be knocked down
when climbing back on to an unlit road. So often the response from
the drivers of the vehicles that hit these victims is “I just
didn’t see him”. Every driver in Italy and Spain now has
a legal obligation to carry a reflective vest in their vehicle. The
law became mandatory in Italy in April this year and Spain “went
live” in June. But carrying the garment is not enough: it needs
to be worn. If you have to alight on a motorway or busy road, don’t
take risks. If you put a high-visibility garment on, other drivers
will not only be able to see you, they will note you are in difficulty,
too. Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations,
employers have a legal obligation to provide proper care. That means
safety clothing and equipment that is fit for its intended purpose.
It is up to the employer to assess correctly the level of risk to
their employees’ health and safety during the course of their
work and provide them with adequate protection.
The European Standard BS EN471:2003 dictates the optical performance
requirements of high-visibility warning clothing intended for professional
or occupational use by employees. This includes company car drivers
and bike users, as well as those employed in emergency services, construction
and road maintenance, road haulage, recovery operations, indeed anyone
working on or near the roads. This Standard specifies requirements
for clothing capable of signalling the user’s presence visually,
intended to provide conspicuity of the user in hazardous situations,
under any light conditions by day and under illumination by vehicle
headlights in the dark. Three years ago, the New Roads and Street
Works Act 1991, Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice
were revised to bring the rules for utility workers (for example,
water, gas and electricity) up to a high specification. BS EN471:2003
gives guidance on specific design criteria for each class within the
Standard, specifying minimum areas of background and retroreflective
materials. For example: jackets, waistcoats and tabards must have
bands of retroreflective material in one of three designs –
one or two horizontal bands around the torso and one band over each
shoulder or two horizontal bands around the torso.
Fluorescent red-orange materials
are extremely visible during the hours between dusk and dawn |
|
| "During the winter months, the hours
of dusk and dawn are the high-risk rush hours with dense road
traffic" |
The bands must not be less than 50 mm wide and long sleeves must be
encircled by two bands. The materials used in the manufacture of the
garments must meet equally strict specifications in terms of optical
performance, abrasion resistance, colour fastness, influence of rainfall
and temperature variation. The finished garments must also contain
relevant information (labelling) on storage, cleaning and maintenance,
size guidelines, results of technical performance tests and the name
and address of the manufacturer or their authorised representative.
Reflective Equipment Manufacturers Association (REMA) members (listed
on the website) will advise on material combinations for optimum performance.
For instance, a fluorescent coloured fabric may look highly visible
in daylight, but will give little or no protection at night. Conversely,
a silver/grey reflective material will add very little to daytime
conspicuity, but is essential at night to reflect light and indicate
the wearer’s presence at a distance that allows other road users
time to take evasive action.
During the day, Saturn yellow is instantly recognised as a need to
“take care”. Fluorescent red-orange and lime-yellow materials
are extremely visible during the hours of dusk and dawn. During the
winter months, these are the high-risk rush hours with dense road
traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists can be particularly vulnerable in
traffic when visibility is low. The need for cyclists to wear a high-visibility
garment is obvious and additional reflective trims on other accessories
contribute to wearer conspicuity. REMA members include manufacturers
of high visibility clothing and component reflective and fluorescent
materials. REMA operates to a clear constitution and all members must
follow our Code of Practice – your assurance of conformity and
quality.
For more information, visit: www.rema.org.uk
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